Mickey Rooney's Daughter Shares Details about Close Bond with Her Legendary Father

Kelly Rooney opened up about her best memories with her late father, Mickey Rooney, who died in April 2014 at the age of 93.

In a recent interview with Fox News, Kelly recalled her legendary dad fondly. She wanted the world to realize that he wasn't only an extraordinary actor, but a loving and caring dad too.

"A MAGICAL PERSON"

"He was always an inspiration and a magical person in our lives," Kelly said. "We really loved him and we cherished him. Now growing up, we came to realized that the world loved him too. So we did have to share him with the world."

When Kelly was just seven years of age, her mother, Barbara Ann Thomason, was murdered. Even though her father remarried after that, her mom remained the love of his life.

"My dad called me in 1992 and said, ‘Kel, I want you to hear something. I have to apologize to you because I couldn’t save her. And I’m so sorry,’" Kelly shared. "I know he carried around a big bag of guilt about that."

UNAWARE HER DAD WAS A SUPERSTAR

During the interview, Kelly also revealed that she didn't know her father was a celebrity until she was around eleven.

"One day I said, ‘Dad, why are people always looking at you?’ He went, ‘Well honey, it’s my work. It’s what I do," she said. "I’m in the public eye.’ As a kid, I still didn’t know what he meant. But he was always on television. … And through his films, I could see how much joy he brought to people."

Kelly continued that her dad cherished acting and that for him it was entertaining. Unfortunately, she was kept away from her dad in his last years, as his caretakers tried to restrict him from seeing all of his children.

"When I was a little girl growing up, I didn’t know if I liked it too much. But I like it now. And I’m just grateful we had such a wonderful dad."

In conclusion, Kelly said she's glad that she bears a striking resemblance to her father.

"People would always say, ‘You look just like your dad.’ I heard that my whole life," she explained. "But it’s a real honor to look like my dad. When I was a little girl growing up, I didn’t know if I liked it too much. But I like it now. And I’m just grateful we had such a wonderful dad."

Kelly still misses her dad consistently and will keep his memory alive as long as she can.

THE ACCLAIMED ACTOR'S LEGACY

At the time of his death, Mickey, who was married eight times, with six of the marriages ending in divorce, had appeared in more than 300 films.

He was one of the last surviving stars of the silent film era and was the top box-office attraction from 1939 to 1941.